Pope finds true security in walking with the people

CNS PHOTO | PAUL HARING

Young people hold up the letters spelling out "shalom," the Hebrew greeting meaning peace, during the World Youth Day vigil July 27.

August 26, 2013

CINDY WOODEN
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM BRAZIL – With a few Vatican police standing at attention in the back of the Alitalia plane flying him back to Rome, Pope Francis told reporters about his security even before being asked.

"My security staff is very, very good and now they are letting me do a little bit more," but they must do their jobs, which is to protect him, he said.

But he also acknowledged that all that close contact during his July 22-28 stay in Brazil for World Youth Day made some people nervous.

Driving into Rio de Janeiro July 22, the pope's car was mobbed by a crowd, yet the pope insisted throughout the trip on riding in a popemobile with open sides and wading into crowds to bless or hug people and kiss babies.

The pope said, "The climate was spontaneous," just as he'd hoped. "With less security I could be with the people, embrace them, greet them without armored cars."

"Security lies in trusting people. It's true that there's always the danger that a crazy person will try to do something, but there's also the Lord," he said.

Sealing off a bishop behind bullet proof glass "is also craziness," but he said he prefers the craziness of trust.

Pope Francis told reporters it is true that sometimes he feels trapped inside the Vatican; he thinks Rome is a beautiful city and would really like to be able to go for a walk.